Do-It-Yourself Planning for your Wedding

So you want to be your own wedding planner but you don't know where to start planning.

You have been yearning and eccentric to hit the bridal shops and find your wedding dress and entourage attire at the same time you want to check the florists and instruct her for your ideal magical vision of your wedding decorations.

STOP!!!

If you go planning like that, you'd end up wasting time money and effort all at the same time. If you have no background or event the slightest idea as to what is wedding planning is all about, then you need a little poke in the head and pay attention to what I am about to write below.

So you think you can be the superwoman for your wedding and do not need a professional help. Nonetheless, I will give you these tips for your DO-IT-YOURSELF WEDDING PLANNING:

1. Book the Church and Reception Venue. Most brides would want to hit the bridal dress shop first and try on those gorgeous to their eyes dresses but the first thing to do for your DIY Your Own Wedding Project is to find a church and reception venue. Ask if the date you want to get married is still open and PAY the reservation fee.

2. Visit the City Hall. The City Hall is where the City Registrar's Office is. That's where you fill up forms for Application for Marriage License. They will give you instructions for the requirements to obtain, attend family planning seminars and marriage bans.

3. Research, research, research. After the two most crucial steps of wedding planning, you can now find the rest of the wedding suppliers. Ask for friends' advice and recommendations from those who have already married. Research for wedding packages and promos. Find your photographer, videographer, florist, make-up artist, baker, caterer, souvenirs, invitations, wedding host and other wedding details you want to add for your wedding.

4. Prepare the money and book their reservation fees to make sure that they will be there to supply for your wedding.

5. If you are done with all the wedding planning and you want to endorse these things and people to professional wedding coordination, then you can hire On-the-day Wedding Coordinators and give them the instructions of how your DIY Wedding Project should be executed!

All the best with your hands-on do-it-yourself wedding preparations! If you ever get caught up with the stress of planning, then dial-a-wedding planner, that's me!

tete-a-tete!

10 Filipino Attitudes During a Wedding Event

Filipino wedding traditions are unique and sometimes funny. As a wedding planner, I have observed how Filipino wedding guests behave during the entire wedding event from the church ceremony to reception and have listed 10 most common Filipino attitudes during a wedding in the Philippines.

Soon to marry couples must be aware of these trademark Filipino traits and expect any or all of these things to happen during your wedding day in the Philippines.

Here are the 10 FILIPINO ATTITUDES DURING WEDDINGS:

1. If you invite one person, expect attendance of five guests.

2. No matter how the event coordinator guards the souvenirs, there will always be Filipino wedding guests who will grab 2 pieces of wedding souvenirs, sometimes even 4 pieces and that's usually a dominant relative of the couple.

3. Family members and including the wedding guests will bring foods that are not consumed during the reception so be ready with containers and plastic bags for "bring home"

4. Single men and women are NOT willing to participate in the bridal and garter toss even if there's a designated prize for it.

5. 80% of the entire guest count will disappear after eating. Some will go out for a smoke and mostly others go home or have other appointments after eating.

6. There is always one relative of the couple, usually a female who has dominant attitude, who will act as if she is in-charge of everything.

7. Wedding gifts are mostly housewares and photo albums. For every family invited, usually only one gift.

8. 10% of the Filipino wedding guests will attend the church ceremony and will come on time. 20% are late during the church ceremony and 70% go directly to the reception area.

9. Upon arrival on the wedding reception site, if there's cocktail served, it's would always be consumed in sixty seconds.

10. Filipino wedding guests love the camera. Expect nothing less.


For those who are getting married with foreigners, explain to them these things so they won't get shocked with how things are handled here in the Philippines. I hope this article helps you prepare for wedding reception scenes!

Have a happy wedding event!

Scoring a Wedding: Basketball Themed

Weddings are reflection of the couple's love story. Or at least that's how I tell my clients when they get confused on what theme to choose for their wedding. Most couples stick to the traditional ~ i.e church wedding, garden wedding, beach wedding, etc. Very few go for Sports Themed Wedding. Well, maybe it is because the bride chooses most of the wedding ideas and the grooms just pay out the bills. On some rare occasions, the couple are both athletic, then the wedding becomes a venue depicting their sporty love story too. Take for example the very common sport - BASKETBALL.

Whether you agree or not, having a basketball themed wedding is a lot easier and more unique than you ever think. Since it is a very common sport, everyone can relate to it if not get involved with it.

So how's the idea of a sporty wedding sound?

Let us begin planning your sporty wedding.

The first quarter of the planning process would involve choosing the colors. Basic color association would be orange and black or better yet choose a more specific color combo with your favorite basketball team, let's say Boston Celtics Green and White trademark, Miami Heat Red and White, LA Lakers Yellow and Purple... and so on and so forth.

Basketball theme centerpieces would somehow look like these or you can play around with the theme colors of your choice that's associated with the sport:
(check out original photos of this site: http://www.sportsthemedweddings.com/Sports-Themed-Wedding-Reception-Centerpieces.htm)

Basketball Wedding  Floral Centerpiece

Basketball Tower Centerpiece

One Big Basketball with a Net Centerpiece

The place can be decorated with a vibrant arch of orange balloons or elegant layers of satin sheets and curtains:

Basketball themed balloons

(photo from http://www.sensiblysweetnj.com/index.php?main_page=page_4)

LA Lakers Themed Wedding

(photo from http://www.onewed.com/photos/tagged/basketball)

The second quarter of the wedding would be mostly on dresses and tux. As mentioned earlier, orange is the dominant color for basketball, and bridesmaids get to wear them:

Orange Bridesmaid Dress

(Find more photos in this site: http://www.onewed.com/diy/blog/how-to-incorporate-march-madness-into-your-wedding)

By the third quarter, you would most probably be shopping for cakes that make the cut! Here are some of the quirkiest cake topper for a basketball themed wedding cake:


For basketball themed cake toppers:
http://www.magicalday.com/

http://www.fundeliver.com/funny-heart-vintage-toppers-c-1_4/basketball-wedding-cake-toppers-customized-figurines-holding-a-basketball-together-p-220

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/weddingdazzlers/5103795/boston_celtics_basketball_fan_sports_themed_grooms_wedding_cake_topper

basketball themed wedding cake

(photo from http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/weddingdazzlers/3802030/Inexpensive_Spurs_basketball_Sports_themed_funny_Wedding_cake_topper-C/Wedding/Cake_Toppers/Bride_Groom)

Basketball cake

(http://blog.pinkcakebox.com/gallery/sports-cakes)

At fourth quarter, you will most probably be jittery as the wedding day comes, but don't forget to beat the time. Send out your invites, prepare the favors and get ready for the buzzer beater with these cute adorable basketball themed stuffs!

Basketball themed cookie favors

http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2087947/basketball-themed-wedding-cookie-favours

Baketball themed wedding invites

http://www.londyscreations.com/sports/sports.asp

Other basketball themed invitation designs you can check this link: http://www.zazzle.com/basketball_wedding_invitation-161380898454275695

Last two minutes would be spent on gazing into your spouse's eyes as you swear in front of many people to love each other for half time or over time, in season opening or final championship, 'til a grand slam of forever.

BUZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!! Game Over! I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss the bride!

Steps to becoming a "Mrs."

So you just got engaged!

CONGRATULATIONS! You found true love!

This is the line I always tell my clients who ask me for my planning services. In this day and age, true love hardly come by since the technology age has taken over family life most of the time. True love has become very elusive and rare that it has become a privilege of the few.

After engagement, most couples don't know what to do next. Well, traditionally in the Philippines, after your girlfriend becomes a wife-to-be, both of you ask for parents blessing, and that's called "pamanhikan". It's a more structured way of engagement. There are some families who make it a very grand event, that they'd throw an elaborate engagement party where all the potential wedding guests would have a "sneak peak" of the inevitable wedding occasion. But most of the time, the "pamanhikan" (engagement meeting between families) is done in a private dinner or lunch meeting with the parents of both sides and the couple-to-marry meet and discuss the possible dates and the assignment of expenses of the wedding event.

So the date is set. Now, the wedding planning officially starts. To guide clueless brides-to-be on what to do next, here is a list of quick steps to take in order to make thru the wedding day without being too frantic about it:

1. After the date is set, hire a wedding planner. The wedding planner will tell you what to do and will save you a lot of time, money and effort in everything about the your wedding day.

2. If you cannot afford a wedding planner, the first thing you do is go to the church or religious affiliation to which you intend to hold the wedding ceremony. Check if the date is still open for booking. The best date to choose is six months to one year after the day of engagement. That will give you enough time to scout all the possible wedding supplies you need for your ideal wedding.

3. After making sure that the date is still open in the church, block the date and start processing church requirements. This is will vary from church to church. Usually, the Catholic church has more requirements than any other religious affiliations.

4. Also, process the legal papers such as Authenticated Birth Certificate, Marriage License, Certificate of No Marriage, Family Planning Seminars which are all available at the government offices of the city.

5. While waiting for the requirements and legal papers, book the 3 most important wedding suppliers:
 (1) Church, (2) Reception or Caterer (3) Photo and Videographer.

6. The next month, book the (4)  bridal shoppe for wedding gowns and men's tux. Of course by then you must have already finalized the list of entourage and wedding guests.

7. Also within the same month, book the (5) make-up artist.

8. After voluminous research and canvassing of wedding invitation design and favors, book the (6) maker of wedding invitation and distribute to guests at least 3-4 weeks before the wedding date.

9. While you are on the designs, don't forget your decorator, (7) the florist. Unless you settle of the minimal decorations which are usually included in hotel's wedding packages.

10. Lastly, book the (8) host for the wedding reception or you can ask any one of your friends or relatives to host the program for your wedding.


Other details such as sound system and lighting, music research, venue set-up, confetti's, sky lanterns, balloons, butterflies, pre-nup, post-nup pictorials, honeymoon getaway, stag party, bridal shower, etc... you can add on more activities for your wedding but of course it always comes with a price.

A quick recap on the priority things to book:
(1) Church,
(2) Reception or Caterer
(3) Photo and Videographer.
(4)  bridal shoppe for wedding gowns and men's tux
(5) make-up artist.
(6) maker of wedding invitation and favors
(7) the florist
(8) host for the wedding reception

The role of a wedding planner is to present to you many options of the different wedding suppliers so you can have the best deal of your money's worth. He / she guides you through the different choices and helps you make the right decision in every step of the way. From choosing which colors that match the season and photographic value, to the very simple detail such as which head piece to wear on the ceremony and reception.

How can you be saving money from hiring a wedding planner? Well, a wedding planner is paid to do the leg work and research and has former knowledge and experience when it comes to the said event. Instead of you roaming the city and asking one shop to another and possibly getting absences from your job, the wedding planner does it better and with all focus to your wedding event. He / she has more connections and more expertise in this matter than you do. When you hire a wedding planner, all you have to do is make a decision on the many options that will be presented to you by the wedding planner. You only have to choose what pleases you and you don't have to do the haggle, the wedding planner is best at finding a way to get things done in very affordable budget that you have set for the wedding.


There you go brides and grooms! Have a happy wedding planning!

Remember, if you  fail to plan, you are planning to fail!

For more wedding planning inquiries, you can email me at leahjacobe@gmail.com.

Let's Talk About Marriage (and not just a wedding event)

As a wedding planner, I have witnessed countless moments of couples saying "I DO" infront of the ministers of God and the people. I've seen nervous grooms, stressed-out brides, excited bridesmaids, emotional parents and eccentric crowd in the arena of the wedding ceremony.

But there's one thing I also witnessed and to my simple understanding what Marriage is all about. Here's what I understand:

A wedding is not the start of marriage nor it guarantees the start of any marriage. For many in history have made it to their wedding day with other reasons than their love for their partner. Many have fallen in the pressure of following tradition or worse bribed with coercion. Still others marry for the love of money and not for their love of the other person.

A marriage is a relationship while a wedding is an event to highlight that relationship. A marriage is created even before the wedding event. Many couples have been married for a very long time before they have decided to let the world know and share the momentous event that they have. They must be friends first with complete trust and confidence to the person of their affection.

A marriage happens when the two have committed to each other and devoted all their time and attention to supporting and making the other person become the best person he/she must be. A good marriage is knowing that your other half is out there in the world utilizing all his/her potentials and trusting that he/she'll be ready to share to you the learnings and experiences when he/she comes back to you at the end of the day.

A good marriage, even stripped off with all the glamour and glitter of a grand wedding, will withstand all the conditions that life will bring. For between the wedding event and the life of ever after, there are two people always trusting, always looking after the welfare and happiness of the other, always sharing what they have, always giving and forgiving,  always having faith and complete dependence to God for provision of graces everyday and always...

And that is what Marriage is all about.

Wedding Costs in the Philippines

I have seen a lot of wedding themes and attended to some of the simple elegant to the extreme elegant wedding events. With the extremely elegant type, all I can ever say is that this couple is filthy rich! I researched the internet for a detailed cost of weddings in the Philippines and found very few informative sources about it. So I decided to help many of the wandering brides-to-be on preparing their wedding budget without draining their life savings.

For the majority of people in the middle class with meager income, weddings are sure disaster to the finances. Weddings in the Philippines will cost  as affordable as P50,000 pesos (USD $1163)* to as much as 1Million or more! Of course, it will depend much on the choices of the couple on their ideas for their wedding. The more intricate their ideas, the more expensive it would take.

The cost of weddings in the Philippines in this present year has tripled in the last 10 years. If your idea of a beautiful wedding is holding it in the first class hotel function rooms then prepare yourself for a snowball of expenses in the wedding reception. The most affordable rate for a first class hotel reception would probably be P550 pesos (USD$13)* per head count to as much as P1200 pesos (USD$28)* per guest. However, it is customary that the groom will shoulder most, if not all, of the costs in Philippine weddings. Nowadays, the couple usually decides to split the wedding costs or to assign to which side will the expenses be shouldered.

As a wedding and events planner, my belief is that people don't have to spend so much on extra wedding details because THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE WEDDING EVENT IS THE  CEREMONY OF COMMITMENT and not the decorations and other stuff. The essence of every wedding is the celebration of union of two lovers who willingly and decisively commit to each other.

Not that decorations and other stuff are not important anymore, sometimes, the real purpose of the wedding is diverted to how the families have spent on outside things to IMPRESS THIER GUESTS AND IMPROVE THEIR SOCIAL STANDING IN THE SOCIETY instead of being present in the occasion and enjoying the celebration of love. But still, I leave that to the couple and their families who will spend their hard-earned money on things they want to do in their wedding.

You don't have to end up a poor rat after the wedding. There are many ways to achieve your ideal wedding event without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that the true essence of the wedding event is your commitment to each other. All else are negligible details. But if you have that extra cash, you can always indulge your fancy how ever you may please. After all, it's your money and you alone can decide how to spend it.

So here's an estimate of the expenses that wedding costs in the Philippines:

Gowns and Tux Rental - 2,500 - 8,500

Wedding Officiate (Pastor or Priest) - 1,000 - 3,000 

Photo/Video Coverage - 10,000 - 35,000

Food (100 guests) - 45,000 (450/head)

Florist/Decorator - 30,000 +

Wedding Planner - 20,000+

Cake (5layers) - 5,000 - 10,000

Souvenirs (80 pieces) - 10,000 - 12,000

Invitation Cards (80 pieces) - 8,500 - 12,000

Emcee - 2,500

Wedding Singer - 1,500

Wedding Singer with band - 3,500

Van Rental - 3,500/day

Hotel Accommodation - 1,500 - 2,500 / night

The wedding costs in the Philippines is an estimate of the possible expenses. Actual wedding costs may vary depending on wedding supplier and location.

I hope this article has helped you and would help a lot of couples planning to tie the knot this year and the future lovers in the years to come.


For a detailed costing on your ideal wedding in the Philippines, email me at leahjacobe@gmail.com.




*(USD$1=PhP43)

Ramirez - Lawas Wedding June 2012

The Newlyweds Mr. & Mrs. Lawas

Theirs is a love story withstanding the tests of time... fifteen (15) years time.

I am one lucky person to take part in this rare, teledrama-like love union. This newlyweds is simply a living proof that TRUE LOVE does exist and most often than not a wedding is always imminent.

When I met them and heard their story of love, I realized that they have been matched since the beginning of time, perhaps even before they were conceived. Started out as high school sweet hearts, went through rough times and fifteen years later, with a realization and conviction of growing old together decided to celebrate their love through their very meaningful wedding event.

It was both a pleasure and a privilege to have been chosen to host their reception program on the 2nd day of June of this year. The celebration was vibrant, people were dynamic, and everyone radiated joyful faces. The bride did most of the wedding details and invited Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings to host their special day three (3) months before the scheduled date. The wedding ceremony was held in St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Sasa, Davao City. The reception was held in D' Leonor Hotel, Bajada, Davao City.

Love moves in mysterious ways indeed and it's becoming more resilient in time. I can vouch to that with the experience of attending a wedding event of real life sweethearts who came out from the test of time, stronger and more joyous.

Thank you Mr. Jimuel Lawas and Mrs. Ethel Lawas for making Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings part of your happy celebration.

Cuestas - Hernandez Wedding March 2012

March 16, 2012, Friday.

75th Araw ng Dabaw Celebration.

At the height of city-wide festivities, yet another feast was happening in the lives of Michelle Ann Cuestas and her groom, Francis Ray Hernandez. For this very same day when the citizens of Davao celebrate the birth of the city, was also the very same day when these two hearts start a new life, united in one in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

The wedding ceremony was set at 3pm but the preparation started at 7am. We all coursed through detour roads in order to arrive at the hotel, Regency Inn Davao for the preparation for the wedding. Everything went on according to the timeline. All wedding suppliers came as told and all wedding participants came as instructed.

The make-up session started at 11am with the most punctual make-up artist Roy Nemis and his assistant. The photographers also came in just in time for the wedding preparation shoot.

We all went to church at 2pm. Me and my team arrived there 30mins before the set time of the wedding ceremony. I was shocked to see the church so bare. I thought maybe the church staff forgot about the wedding that day that they did not prepare the church. In frantic realization, I hurried to the back of the church to ask the staff of the church decorations. To my horror, I found a note on the office door "NO Office Today, March 16, 2012". Then of course I sought other church staff from the vicinity hoping for the confirmation of the wedding.

I thought at that instant, what if the couple forgot to book the church and all have been set for that day. I was only hired to coordinate for that day and I didn't have the hands-on booking for the wedding details. Then to my relief, I went to the back of the church and found the in-charge, I hurriedly asked him if he was going to decorate the church. Then he said in a calm voice, "yes, ma'am, i will be the one."

I wanted to tell him to please hurry up the preparations as the wedding entourage is ready and everyone is all set, but then i held myself trusting in his capacity to deliver what he just told me. I went back to the entrance of the church to welcome the guests and placing the corsage on designated people.

Then a swift transition transpired, suddenly the choir announced for the start of the ceremony, everyone lined up. My two assistants froze, and did not know what to do. The good thing about this experience is that, God sent someone to assist me. He sent someone who was not part of the wedding but knows how to organize wedding line up. It so happened that she was just there waiting at the entrance of the church for their seminar to start at the other hall in the parish. Oh thank God for his providence indeed!

The bride went out of the car assisted by the make-up artist! Another mistake! That should have been one of my team and since my team froze in action, they didn't know it was their job to assist the bride. Then of course, things happened so quickly, upon realizing that we should assist the bride, me and my other assistant Norma, immediately ran towards her and placed her trail accordingly.

Then the bridal march, wedding ceremony and then after one hour, voilah! The wedding ceremony is done! It was the fastest transpiring special wedding I have ever attended. In less than one hour, everything was done.

Of course the pictorials took place. I had Lorenz, one of my assistant do the calling of entourage for picture taking, I must say, my assistants really need more experience in handling the details of the events. They cannot rely merely on what the head planner must tell them. That's one of the many goals I should attain this year - developing initiative in my team members.

At the reception, everything went on smoothly as Lorenz was a good co-host. But the pitfall was that somewhere along the reception, the time of money dance, Norma was staring blankly into space while I was desperate from the other end of the hall to call her attention. Another realization, invest in two-way radio communication. This way, I can instruct my assistants without having me look like i was a fool making hand and face signals to the other end of the room.

Generally, the event went smoothly. Two important lessons to remember about this wedding is the initiative of members and investment in radio communication.

All is well that ends well! The celebration was a blast and so was the Araw ng Dabaw celebration in the streets of my beloved city!

All for the glory of God!

Raguro - Ilisan Wedding August 2011

The online launching of Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings took effect on March 16, 2011. From there, I gathered all my past pro bono and hobby events to the site and invested in the faith that this is how I can put my talent to use.

Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings  very first booking for the year 2011 happened in August 22, 2011. It was a hosting event. The couple were friends with my friend and I was chosen to host their wedding reception.

The wedding took place at St. Paul Parish, Juna Subd, Davao city at 3:00 in the afternoon. The motif was black with accents of yellow. All wedding details were planned by the couple and their families. All of them contributed to make the wedding possible.

At the church, I came ten minutes early and observed the guests, the entourage, and the people waiting eagerly for the ceremony to start. I wasn't much involved in the ceremony since it has been taken cared of by the church staff. Towards the end of the ceremony, that was also the time my role as Master of Ceremony began. Of course, I went to the podium and started roll calling names for the photo shoot and finally, announcing the venue of the reception.

The wedding reception was held at Kuya Ed's Magallanes. From the church, we took a 30 minute

drive towards the venue. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I was surprised to see tha

t there were more people waiting there than in the church. To my estimate, there were about more or less 200 guests all in all gathering in that place.

I could understand since the restaurant offers very affordable prices for a buffet function. For only 210 per head, any couple on a tight budget will surely consider this place for their wedding reception.

The program lasted for approximately 2 hours. Since I didn't know most of the people in the event, I must say I had a hard time getting along with the crowd. Probably because I lack research on the culture of the people who were invited. Most of them came from distant places that have different way of life than in Davao. During the program, I tried my best to get audience participation by asking them direct questions and trivia, but to no avail I was responded with stares and silence of the crowd. This made me think that maybe they were all starving plus the fact that I was speaking Tagalog and English that perhaps I scared them to speak. Carrying on with the program was a bit difficult to maneuver since I didn't know how the crowd felt. They were absolutely silent. Nevertheless, the program finished off. It wasn't how I wanted things to turn out but I guess that's what happens with first time experience as a professional.

The wedding was a very unforgettable experience. Because of that event, I have resolved to hone my skills at impromptu speeches that transcends culture. I needed more flexibility in terms of wowing the crowd and so I have to practice, research, practice and put into test my ability.

I thank God for giving me my first show. I thank Him for using my friends and entrusting to me the simple task of hosting a wedding reception. I have not received formal training in events management, but I certainly have a lot of experiences in the past that put my talents in creating events to test. For many years I was trained through time and I thank God that at this time, I was able to share this talent to others, helping them in their special day and giving them cheer even for one day. I thank the people who gave their trust to me and expecting me to deliver the event.

Looking back on that first event, I take great lessons and special memories of the challenges that I was able to overcome with the help and grace of God. I will forever be thankful to Him for the people that He brings into my life and entrusting to me these people with the talents He has given me.

Raguro - Ilisan Wedding, August 22, 2011

The Road to 2012

It's high time that I should be writing again about my experiences as an Event Planner. I had been travelling a lot lately to many scenic spots that I had no time to blog here. My regular work also interferes with my thought processes and time management. But alas here I am! Back to the world of Events!

Liyah and Life Events: Planning, Hosting and Coordination Services turns 1 year in the coming March 16, 2012! And I am thrilled to plan a mini-celebration with me and my team celebrating our company anniversary. Yes, I must admit our company is very young and amateur. We don't even advertise that much. But in the past one year, there had been 4 Weddings (1 Full Service Planning, 1 On-the-Day Service and 2 Hosting Services) , 1 Milestone Birthday (Full Service Planning) , 1 Corporate Event (Full Service Planning) and 1 High School Reunion (Full Service Planning). So in general, online presence were all that we had to establish our name in this industry.

I firmly believe that God has given us opportunities and people who trust us to deliver these services to the best of our capabilities! I am very thankful for all these wonderful happenings and overcoming challenges. We had done our part and we are aiming to do more in this year of great opportunities!

So this year 2012, Liyah & Life Events Services will become more aggressive in advertising online and also in personal interaction with the public. As Head Event Planner, I am contemplating on getting a degree in this business so that I will be certified and will be able to confidently show my credentials to potential clients!

I am also planning to send my team to short course training on Events Management so they can also have the proper competencies in handling tasks during the event.

Hopefully as the year ends, we will have enough funds to register our name to DTI and have a legitimate office!

In the past year, getting clients to trust me is very difficult since our company is still struggling to stand. But this year, I am maintaining a positive outlook that things will improve and as time goes by, with every challenge surpassed, me and my team at Liyah & Life Events Services will be better and possibly in the next 5 years will get in rank with the best events suppliers if not in Davao City, possibly nationwide!

I know it takes a lot of positivism and hardwork but as the saying goes, you can have it all but not all at once!

So this is the vision of the company: to give our best in every client who trust in our services and obtain highest customer satisfaction rating at all times! So help us God!

Thanks to my team at Leah Jacobe Events and Weddings Services!

2012 is my year!

Another year has finally arrived!

2012.

Many people, including me, have waited for this year to unfold. It is so controversial last year because of it's armageddon aspect. But this year, is going to be my year. There will be lots of great things happening in my life this year. I look forward to prosperity, travel, great relationships and great health.

Like everyone else, new year resolutions are the most popular during this time of month. Everyone who aims for something, starts this year with a list of goals. It is the most proficient way to ahieve dreams. By listing down what we aim in life, our aspirations are reinforced in our memories and we will know where to go at every destination down the road towards the end of the year.

Let me share to you my 2012 goals:

Health:

1. Prevent illness by eating right, living right and feeling right.

2. Make running a habit. I will walk-jog-run 3x a week.

3. Make lemon juice a staple drink in my fridge. Never get out of stock with it.

4. Sleep 6-8 hours every day.

5. Think only positive, feel only positive and expect only positive outcome.

Wealth:

1. I promise not to open as much facebook as I did before during work hours.

2. I will have a budget re-evaluation every 3 months this year.

3. Spend only when included in the budget.

4. Be more generous this year.

Spirituality:

1. I will go to confession twice this year.

2. Go to mass at least twice a week, during Sunday and during weekdays.

3. Make every moment a prayer.

...Well that's it for now, I will still have to think of other goals that I can attain this year. It's the beginning of the year and there'll be a lot of great surprises along the way this year. All hopes are high while I work towards achieving my dreams!

So help me God!

The High School Reunion

2011 has passed and is now considered part of history. Looking back at such a great year I look with confidence and hope for a greater year this year 2012.

Just a couple of days before the year 2011 closes, I planned and hosted our high school reunion. It was the first grand gathering 10 years after high school graduation. My insights in the events are generally good but there are some realizations that I need to consider the next time I organize these kinds of events.

Here are some of the remarkable photos of the UIC Batch 2001 High School reunion that took place last December 30, 2011 Friday.

Blindfold games

Preparing the venue together with my high school bestfriends

UIC Batch 2001,,,, after 10 years

Some of us has changed drastically, from being an invisible part of the class to being a shining star today. Some have married, some have been fulfilling high powered careers, some are still forging their way towards their dreams.

It was an unforgettable event. It was the time when we all had fun during the games and mingled with each other after growing up 10 years later. Somehow, despite the differences in high school, we've grown and matured and have become adults in some way. Indeed, what 10 years can do so much!

Although nostalgic, the greatest lesson I learned in this event includes stepping up to help and above all, CHANGE is inevitable in each one.